Garment clasp



B. A. HACKL GARMENT CLASP Jan, 12, 1960 Filed July s1, 1957` 2 Sheets-Sheet l '2% f /tafffzgy Jan. 12, 1960 B. A. HACKL 2,920,358

GARMENT CLASP Filed July 3l, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Unite Stts 2,920,368 Patented Jan. .12, 1960 GARMENT CLASP Benedict Arthur Hackl, Valois, Quebec, Canada Application July 31, 1957, Serial No. 675,300

Claims. (Cl. 24-248) The present invention relates toimprovements in garment clasps, and Vmore specifically to an improved form of a clasp particularly adapted for attachment to a garter or the like for the purpose of providing a hose supporter.

While there are many and varied forms of garment or garter clasps available,rmost of these presentcertain disadvantages bothfrom the point of view of the manufacturer and the subsequent wearer.

It should be mentioned that there are certain essential features necessary in a clasp of this nature. For example, it must be designed to be easily attached or removed from the top of the hose, it should present a wide enough attaching surface to avoid damage to the hose, and it should be sutiiciently strong and durable to withstand wear. With these features in mind most of the prior art clasps are made mainly or entirely of metal and have various means ofy pinching or clamping a portion of the hose for its support. However, garter clasps previously made of metal possess the natural disadvantages of any metallic substance that comes iny Contact with the user that they tend to Vcor-rode or rust, as well as having a tendeney'to chafe or scratch the skin. Further, unless completely metallic clasps are designedso as to present complete and smoothly rounded surfaces they are more apt to tear or cut the material of the hose clamped therein.

The present invention recognizes the disadvantages present in most of the prior art clasps described above and aims to provide a simple solution by providing an improved garter clasp construction which in a preferred form is made entirely of non-metallic materials and in an alternative form utilizes metallic material as a connecting element only'between two non-metallic bodies.

Accordingly, the invention comprises a clasp which includes a first non-metallic body member having a top portion provided'with an internal slot adapted to accommodate a garter strap'or the llike and a dependent tongue portion which extends from the top portion. A second non-metallic bodyvmember shaped to have a back portion and -an integral front portion of greater dimensions extending outwardly from the back portion is pivotally connected to the iirst member by a frame of substantially rectangular outline. The second body member is provided with a transverse groove running between the back and front. portions which when the clasp isV in use is adapted to engage the upper portion of the hose and accommodate the lower end of the dependent tongue of the rst body member holding the hose portion in place. The connecting frame has the transverse end remote from the iirst body member passing through the second body member beneath the transverse groove to provide the pivotal connection.

The dimensions of the connecting frame extending from the rst body member ,are such that the space between theframe side members is suii'icient to permit iiexing motion-ofthe dependent tongue of the first body member, andgmeans..areprovidedV in the second ,body Y portion to receive and retain the side frame members in engaged position.

'The preferred material for the first and second body members is a relatively stiff. yet resilient plastic, for example molded nylon or the like, and the members are preferably molded as two separate parts.

In use the clasp is worn with the hose engagingback portion of the second body member disposed towards the body so that the second body member canbe pivoted outwards tilting the front portion away from the connecting frame and clearing the tongue of the rst body member from the transverse groove. The tongue ofthe iirst body member is placed behind the upper vportionof the hose and while retaining the hose portion against the tongue, the tongue is ilexed outwards into engagement with the transverse groove of the second body member. Both members are then pressed into alignment with the connecting frame, locking the retainedhose portion rmly in place. Due to the particular formation of the second` body member and the interconnecting frame, movement of the person wearing the clasp will not cause it to become unclamped since it is necessary to pivot the second body member outwardly .between the frame side portions before the tongue portion of the rst body member is released andthe natural tension exerted in supporting the hose acts to retain the members in alignment within the frame.

This application is a continuation-in-part of United States application, Serial Number 602,963, iiled August 9, 1956.

Having thus generally described the, nature of the invention, particular reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein there is shown by way of illustration preferred embodiments thereof, and in which:

Figure l is a diagrammatic View in perspective elevation of a preferred form of clasp constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the clasp construction shown in Figure l with the elements shown in aligned and retaining position.

Figure 3 is an exploded view showing the body members separated with the second body member in position for slidable engagement with the transverse end portion of the rst body member frame extension.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view'in section of the combined members as they would appear in disengaged condition.

Figure'S is a sectional view of Figure 2 along the line 5 5.

Figure 6 is a sectional View corresponding to Figure 5 to illustrate the wedging action of the dependent tongue of the front body member when engaged with the transverse groove of the second body member with a portion of the hose shown in clamped position.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view in perspective elevation of an alternative form of clasp constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 8 is a front elevation of the construction of Figure 7 with the elements shown in aligned and retaining position.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the construction of Figure 8 along the line 9 9.

Figure l0 is an enlarged diagrammatic View, in section, to illustrate the lirst and second body members and interconnecting frame as the body members would appear when pivoted away from each other.

Figure l1 is an enlarged diagrammatic view, in section, to illustrate the wedging action of the dependent tongue `of the rst body member of the construction of Figure 7 when engaged with the transverse groove of the second body member with a portion of the hose shown in clamped position.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 through 6, a preferred construction of a clasp in accordance with the present invention comprised essentially of two non-metallic body members 10 and 20. These are preferably molded from a plastic material having the desired flexible characteristics, for example, nylon or the like.

The b ody member 19 is shaped so as to have a top portion 12, a dependent tongue portion 16 and a bordering extension or frame 21. The top portion 12 is provided with an elongated transverse slot or recess 14 to provide a means of attachment to a garment strap or belt. In the preferred construction illustrated the upper portion of the tongue 16 is provided on each surface with raised sections or ribs 18. The main purpose of the ribs 18 is to stiften the tongue 16 against the natural flexibility of the plastic material and also to provide a locating or gripping point for the iingers when the clasp is in use. While the ribs 18 in the construction illustrated are in a substantially H-shaped formation, it will be appreciated that they might follow other formations without departing from their purpose. The extension or frame 21 of the body member 10 is of substantially constant rectangular cross-section along both side portions 29 with the transverse end portion 30 being of somewhat greater and circular cross-section, as shown in Fgures and 6.

The body member 20 is shaped so as to have a front portion 22 and an integral back portion 24 of lesser dimensions than the front portion. The back portion 24 is positioned relative to the front portion 22 so that the lower marginal edge 24a is in alignment with the lower marginal edge 22a of the front portion while the upper marginal edge 24b terminates considerably below the top marginal edge 2217 of the front portion. A transverse slot or groove 26, adapted to receive the tongue 16, extends between the upper portions of the portions 22, 24 and further grooves or'recesses 25 extend between the port1ons 22, 24 at each side. A shaped recess or groove 2 7 having a circular bottom portion 27a of greater dimensions than the entry portion 27b is provided between the lower marginal edges 22a, 24a of the front and back portions 22, 24. This shaped groove 27 is adapted to slidably receive the transverse end portion 30 of the connecting frame 21.

To assemble the body members 10, 20 the member 2Q is held so that the shaped groove 27 is in alignment with the transverse end portion 30 of the connecting frame 21 of the member 10, as shown in Figure 3. The transverse frame portion 30 is then slidably engaged in the groove 27 and the body member 20 pivoted about the connection thus made, as shown in Figure l.

The connecting frame 21 is dimensioned so that the width or spacing between the side portions 29 is greater than the maximum Width of the tongue portion 16 of the body leaving suicient space therebetween to accommodate the hose or garment material. However, the spacing between the frame side portions 29 is slightly less than the outside transverse dimensions of the back portion 24 of the body member 20. Accordingly, when the body member is pivoted into alignment with the body member 11i, the exible nature of the frame 21 allows it to slightly expand or distort to pass over the back portion 24 and snap into the grooves 25.

In use, the clasp is secured to the garment so that the front portion 22 of the body member 10 faces outwardly from the body of the wearer of the garment. When used as a garter clasp, the tongue portion 16 is flexed outwardly so that the body member 20 pivots outwardly springing the frame side portions 29 from engagement with the grooves 25, as shown in Figure 4. The terminal end of the tongue portion 16 is thus cleared from the transverse groove 26 so that it can flex back in substantial alignment with the frame 21, as shown in broken lines in Figure 4. The tongue 16 is inserted within the hose and while retaining the hose portion in position the tongue 16 is again exed out to the position shown in Figure 4. By pressing the front portion 22 of the body 20 inwardly, the body 20 pivots engaging the tongue 16 and the portion of the hose within the groove 26 and aligning the body 20 within the frame 21. The side portions 29 of the frame snap into the grooves 25 as described locking the members 10, 20 in retaining condition, as shown in Figure 6. As will be appreciated the engagement of the hose portion between the end of the tongue 16 and the bottom of the groove 26 tends to give a further longitudinal stressing action to the side portions 29 of the frame 21 bringing the side portions more rmly into retaining engagement with the grooves 25 when the body members 10, 20 are pressed or snapped into alignment.

With particular reference to Figures 7 through 11 of the drawings, an alternative construction of a clasp in accordance with the present invention comprises essentially of three main elements, namely, a tirst body member having a top portion 112 provided with an elongated slot 114 adapted to accommodate the attachment to a garter belt or the like. The member 110 also includes a substantially rectangular tongue portion 116 which extends from the top portion 112 and is adapted to act as a wedging member, as will be described in more detail later.

The second element of this construction comprises a further non-metallic body member 120 which is provided with a front portion 122, and an integral back portion 124 of lesser dimensions than the front portion with a transverse groove 126 extending inwardly from the top of the front portion 124 and between the front and back portions 122, 124. The body member 120 is also provided with grooves at each side between the portions 122, 124 and substantially in alignment with the transverse groove 126. The third element concerned is a connecting wire frame 128 of substantially rectangular outline which includes spaced apart side portions 129 and transverse end portions 130, 132, which pass through the members 110 and 120 respectively.

These three elements cooperate in a manner similar to that previously described in connection with the construction of Figures 1-6. The connecting wire frame 128 is dimensioned so that its width between the side arm portions 129 is slightly greater than the width of the tongue portion 116 of the member 110 permitting that member to freely pivot therebetween with suilicient clearance to accommodate the hose. However, the width of the front portion 122 of the second member 120 is slightly greater than that of the back portion 124 and is at least equal to the outside dimensions across the side portions 129 of the interconnecting wire frame 128.

The width of the back portion 124 is slightly greater than the inside dimensions between the side portions 129 of the wire frame and by the somewhat exible material of the wire frame and second body member the back portion 124 can be pressed into and out of alignment with the Wire frame. When pressd into alignment with the wire frame the side frame portions 129 of the frame snap into the body grooves 125 at each side.

In use the clasp is located as before on the body of the wearer with the members in the position shown in Figure 4. The tongue 116 of the member 110 is placed behind the upper portion of the hose and, While retaining the hose portion against the tongue 116, the tongue 116 is pivoted outwards into engagement with the transverse groove 126 of the second body member 120. By pressing the second body member 120 inwardly the back portion 124, and the tongue 116 engaged therein, are aligned with the wire frame. The side portions 129 of the frame are engaged with the grooves 125 of the second body member so as to snap-lock the members in hose retaining condition as previously described. To release the clasp the body member 120 is pivoted slightly outwards clears. rigtheframe sides-'129from-the'grooves 125 'and-releasing the tongue Y1-16 from-the lgroove 126.J4

As mentionedV` with regard -to the rst construction, when the tongue 116 is swungrintoethealigned condition shownin Figure 9 with the lterminal end engagedin the transverse groove 126 of the member 120 and the frame side portions 129'` engaged in the grooves 125, the additional natural stressing action acts to snap the clasp into and out of the hose retaining position.

A further advantage of the present constructions is that due to the formation and aligned location of the main elements, there are no protruding parts adapted to cause unsightly bulges to the clothing of the wearer, nor is there any tendency of the clasp to irritate the skin.

Due to the materials used, namely completely flexible moldable plastic or moldable plastic in combination with a thin metallic wire, it is possible to produce the present type of clasp much more economically than the metallic type articles of this nature. It is contemplated that the non-metallic members of the construction of Figures 7-ll can be molded in situ to the connecting wire frame so that the iinished article would not require subsequent assembly.

It will be understood that while the preferred material described for the body members of the present clasp construction is a moldable plastic, preferably nylon, polyethylene, or the like, similar clasps could be made from metal for purposes other than those described or could be made from metal and at least coated with a suitable plastic covering. Further, while the preferred form of the connecting frames between the body members is rectangular, this frame could be varied somewhat in conformation, for example the frame side portions could be of irregular or arcuate outline providing their relationship to the dependent tongue were the same and that the second body member is pivotally connected between the frame side portions as described.

I claim:

1. A clasp comprising a pair of body members pivotally interconnected by a connecting frame having side portions and a transverse end portion extending inwardly from the opposed ends of said frame side portions, a iirst one of said body members having means for attachment to a garment strap and an integral tongue portion, the other of said members having a first portion and an integral garment engaging back portion of lesser dimensions extending outwardly from said front portion, there being defined between said front and back portions a groove adapted to receive said tongue portion, said other body member being further provided with means to retain it in set position in relation tothe frame side portions, said other member being attached to said first member by interconnection with said frame end portion whereby said other member is adapted for pivotal movement about the transverse end of said frame from a first open position separating said first member tongue from said second member groove and out of alignment with said connecting frame to a second garment retaining position wherein the tongue of said first member is engaged with the groove of said other member and both of said members are aligned in parallel relationship with each other and said connecting frame in locked position.

2. A clasp, as claimed in claim l, wherein said body members are made of flexible plastic material.

3. A clasp, as `claimed in claim 1, wherein said connecting frame is an integral extension of said rst body member.

4. A clasp comprising a iirst non-metallic body member having a top portion including an opening adapted to accommodate a garter strap or the like, and an integral dependent tongue portion extending from said top portion, a second non-metallic body member having a front portion and an integral garment engaging back portion of lesser dimensions extending outwardly from said front portion, said second body member having a transverse ally connecting'said ii'r'st and second body members withv a transverse end of said frame passing through said second body member beneath said transverse groove, the side portions of said connecting frame being disposed at opposite sides of the back portion of said second body member and spaced from each side of said first body tongue portion, said second non-metallic member back portion being of slightly lesser width than said front,

portion, and frame accommodating grooves provided at each side of said second body member between said back and front portions and in substantial alignment with said transverse groove, whereby when said second body portion is pivoted in alignment with and between said frame side portions, said second body back portion passes between said frame side portions, and said frame side portions snap into lock engagement with said accommodating grooves.

5. A clasp, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said rst and second body members are made of llexible plastic material.

6. A clasp, as claimed in claim 4, wherein said connecting frame is an integral extension of said rst body member.

7. A clasp comprising a rst non-metallic body member having a top portion including an opening adapted to accommodate a garter strap or the like, and an integral dependent tongue portion extending from said top portion, a second non-metallic body member having a front portion and an integral garment engaging back portion of lesser dimensions extending outwardly from said front portion, said second body member having a transverse groove between said front and back portions and extending inwardly from the top of said back portion, said transverse groove being adapted to accommodate the lower end of the said dependent tongue portion of said first body member, a frame of substantially rectangular outline constituting an integral extension of said first body member and pivotally connecting said rst and second body members with a transverse end of said frame passing through said second body member beneath said transverse groove, the side portions of said connecting frame being disposed at opposite sides of the back portion of said second body member and spaced from each side of said first body tongue portion whereby said rst body tongue portion is adapted to be deflected relative to said frame into and out of engagement with said second body transverse groove when said second body is pivoted about said frame connection into and out of parallel alignment with said first body thereby to retain a portion of a garment engaged within said second body member groove.

8. A clasp, as claimed in claim 7, wherein said second non-metallic body member front portion is of at least equal width to the outside transverse dimension of said connecting frame side portions whereby said second body member is restricted to pivotal movement about said frame transverse end in one direction only.

9. A clasp, as claimed in claim 7, wherein said second non-metallic body member back portion is of slightly lesser width than said front portion and there are frame accommodating grooves provided at each side of said second body member between said front and back portions and in alignment with said transverse groove, whereby when said body back portion is pivoted into alignment with and between said frame side portions said second body back portion passes through said frame side portions and said frame side portions snap into locking engagement with said frame accommodating grooves.

10. A clasp, as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first 7 and second body members are made of exible plastic 2,217,770 material. 2,446,389 2,781,569 References Citedl in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 393,499 379,078 Parker Mar. 6, 1888 968,056

Price Oct. 15, 1940 Rank Aug. 3, 1948 Eilertsen Feb. 19, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain June 8, 1933 France Apr. 12, 1950 

